BOSTON—State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary L. Pichetti announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, located in the Town of Oak Bluffs, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the district will look at possible addition/renovation options to the existing Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide Martha’s Vineyard Regional students with a top-notch learning environment,” said Treasurer Goldberg.
The proposed project includes an addition/renovation to the original structure that will serve students in grades 9-12, allowing for a variety of desirable learning approaches from departmental to project based while creating a consolidated floor plan that is easy to navigate and that aims to reduce travel distance between classes. Additionally, the District noted that the proposed phasing associated with this option anticipates that the proposed new addition to the north and west can be constructed in an initial phase with limited disruption to school activities. The District had identified in their Statement of Interest numerous deficiencies in the existing facility related to outdated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, the building envelope, windows, roof, and accessibility issues. The Statement of Interest also notes that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program.
“The addition/renovation project for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers,” stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary Pichetti.
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public-school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has approved 1,138 projects and has made over $18 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the Commonwealth.
